The Garden of Sherri Wilson

Back on August first, on the Bainbridge Island NPA garden tour, I followed the directions in th book to the next garden but paid little attention to the name of the gardener.  Walking into this garden, I knew that it would be something special.   I wonder what the story is behind this pine bedecked with miniature cups?

Around every corner are interesting objects and collections of great plants!

Seating areas in gardens are quite ornamental.  How many avid gardeners get much time to actually sit in their gardens?

This garden is clearly the product of a plant-crazed collector!

Wide swaths of lawn with beautiful borders 

 lead to more intimate paths and gardens to explore.

 Cool fountain made with augers.

 This rock work was done by Sherri's husband.

Formal elements, rustic charm...this garden has a little of everything!

Including this fab greenhouse.

I think that it was about here when I heard a voice say, "I know you!"  Looking up at the source of the voice, a flood of memories came over me.  It was Dr. Wilson, a veterinary internist who, in 2004, helped us keep our beloved Felix alive and happy for another year. He was only four, a tiny dog who lived life in a big way!  Felix on the right next to Stryder.

We had lovely chats in her office, located an hour and a half drive north of us, about the book I was reading (Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris) and about gardening.  Dr. Wilson told me about this organization called The Northwest Perennial Alliance and recommended that I join.  Unfortunately, I didn't follow that advice until a few years later.  Dr. Wilson will always hold a special place in my heart for allowing us some extra time with this special guy!

I ran into Dr. Wilson again at the first Heronswood spring sale since it's closure years earlier and I thanked her again!  Now here I was in her garden which, like her vocation is a work of love of and passion for living things.

Meanwhile, back to the greenhouse, a relatively new addition to the garden.

An enviable collection of tender succulents surrounds the structure. 

The fun continues inside!

A gardener/collector after my own heart!

Her space is as full of interesting stuff as is her brilliant mind.

I wanted to simply move into the greenhouse but there was a lot more great garden to see!

Great Gunnera Batman, that's a cool fountain!

Sherri takes care of the entire garden herself.  Can you believe it?  She says that her secret to easier maintenance  is liberal applications of steer manure each spring. Because her work involves so much illness and death, she revels in the vibrancy and life in her garden.

On the other side of the greenhouse is another seating area.  Picture yourself sitting here surrounded by friends on a warm summer evening.  I miss summer already!

This area, part of an old barn, was, until recently, used as a storage area.  It's been cleared out and now houses more of Sherri's collections.

For even better images of this garden, see Tatyana's great post here. 

A circle pot from Potted. 

So many drool-worthy plants!

Horse shoe sea horse. Try saying  that ten times quickly.

The lady who sold the house, where she'd lived for many years, to the Wilsons continued to be a neighbor.  Each year, she'd come and get apples from "her" tree and bring the Sherri and her husband some of what she made with them.  She shared stories of her life in the house as the Wilsons were remodeling.

Sherri and her husband have recently purchased the property adjoining theirs.  One wonders what wonderful gardens will go in there.  Do you think they'd mind if I moved there if I promised to help with the gardening?

Thank you, Sherri, for opening your garden and for opening your heart to so many pets and their people.  Fortunately, I've had the pleasure of experiencing both of your works of heart.

May your weekend be filled with garden adventures everyone!